In 1999 the Dallas County delegation to the Texas Legislature was composed of mostly white men, with a few minorities from southern Dallas districts.

Twenty years later, the faces of the delegation are dramatically different.

Demographic shifts and a broader pool of Democratic and Republican candidates have led to a diversified delegation, making it more reflective of the county’s population.

On Tuesday, Dallas County lawmakers who took the oath of office included whites, African-Americans, Latinos, Asian-Americans and lesbians. At no time in the history of the county has the delegation had that sort of a mix.

The House and Senate leaders, eight of them brand new, will impact the policies and bills lawmakers produce during the 86th legislative session.

"It's reflective of where society is," said state Rep. Yvonne Davis, the veteran Democrat first elected in 1992. "People want elected officials who are going to represent the people and share their values."

Davis, the dean of the delegation, is the only House member remaining from 1999. She said the new delegation better reflects the Dallas-area community.

"We always come with the thought that we're going to pass legislation that improves the quality of life for all Texans," Davis said. "This is certainly some welcome energy and a commitment to the values we hold dear."

Leaders across North Texas have taken notice of the new Dallas County delegation to Austin, including U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, who served several terms in the Texas House.

"It's interesting to look at some of the early state legislatures and the pictures in the capitol," Veasey said. "It's all changed in Dallas County. It's a really big deal, but more importantly the people picked to represent those districts are outstanding."

Along with House members, Dallas County residents elected a new senator, picking Democrat Nathan Johnson over Republican incumbent Don Huffines. Royce West, a Democrat who has served since 1992, was re-elected.

Veteran lawmakers say they look forward to working with the mix of old and new talent.

"I see the delegation as highly representative of the county now," said State Rep. Rafael Anchia. "I'm really bullish about this delegation. The new blood that we're seeing is really exciting. It's energized everybody and given us a lot of desire to work as a group."

Once mostly men

Dallas County is one of the more diverse areas in the state, but its elected officials haven't always reflected that.

In 1999, the 16-member delegation included 11 whites, four blacks, one Hispanic, 12 men and four women. There were no openly gay members and no Asian-American members. The delegation was split 8-8 along party lines. Gradually the political climate began to shift and more women and minorities were elected.

After 1999 both parties began electing more women and minorities. State Reps. Elvira Reyna (Hispanic) and Stefani Carter (black) were Republicans elected from Dallas County. And Jason Villalba became the first Republican Hispanic elected in Dallas County, while Asian-American Angie Chen Button won her Garland-area district.

"The shift that we have witnessed over time has affected both parties," said former Dallas County Republican Party Chairman Jonathan Neerman.

Button said that diversity was important, not only regarding race and sex, but also "different backgrounds and expertise." Button worked in the technology field for Texas Instruments.

"It's good that the Legislature reflects demographic changes and also the makeup of the citizens and voters," Button said. “It used to be that most of the member were lawyers. Now we have people from all backgrounds."

Throughout the last 20 years, white men from both parties were replaced by women like Linda Harper Brown of Irving, Cindy Burkett of Sunnyvale and Barbara Mallory Caraway of Dallas.

The trend continued this past November, when Dallas County voters elected nine women and only five men to the legislature.

The group includes five Hispanics, five African-Americans, one Asian-American and two openly gay members. There's even one white male Democrat, Dallas lawyer John Turner. White male Democrats are a vanishing breed in the Texas Legislature.

While diversity is growing, Republicans in the Dallas County delegation are also disappearing, as evidenced by November's election.

There are now only two Republicans in the delegation: Morgan Meyer and Button.

"It finally reflects what Dallas County looks like," said Domingo Garcia, a former state lawmaker and National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens. "The election of several Latinas, more African-Americans and LGBT members has been a dramatic breakthrough in the state Legislature."

Garcia, the only Hispanic lawmaker from Dallas County in 1999, said Dallas County’s results are indicative of a statewide shift.

"We're seeing that Texas is edging toward purple status," Garcia said. "Dallas is leading the way and that bodes well for Texas."

But Republicans still have firm control of the Texas House.

With so many new members from Dallas County, it could be challenging for the delegation to exert enough influence area’s to keep pace with more veteran lawmakers from other parts of the state.

"We've all had an opportunity to meet several times and everybody is really excited," said newly elected state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, D-Dallas.

Each member of the newly elected delegation has issues that are top of mind, most notably fixing the public school finance and protecting the controls local government enjoy.

"Dallas is now 74 or 75 percent Latino and these members are going to be critical on issues involving public education," said Rene Martinez, a political consultant who helped Turner's campaign. "We're doing something right and having the leadership in Austin will help, especially with getting the money that's needed."

The new lawmakers say they are ready to fight for education.

"Public education is where my foot is solely planted," said new state Rep. Rhetta Bowers, D-Mesquite.

Another newly elected Democrat, Terry Meza of Irving, said the delegation would benefit from the new faces.

"I represent the most diverse ZIP code in the county," she said. "I want to make sure I effectively represent that diverse communities and work on the issues that are important to them."

"The challenge for us is that we're going to be in their effectively representing our districts right away," Turner said. "Fixing the public school funding system, that's really job one."

Turner, D-Dallas, who was sworn-in Tuesday as his father, former U.S. Rep. Jim Turner looked on, said he also wanted to help "de-escalate battles with local government."

Community leaders supportive

Community leaders were optimistic.

"Our faces are beginning to show in state government and now it's more about collaboration," said Carmen Garcia, president of the MBE Institute for Public Policy, a group that promotes minority-owned businesses. "Let's not forget about some of the past, but make some changes that will make a difference. The demographic has changed. Let's not argue about it, but roll up our sleeves and get to work. "

"Our faces are beginning to show in state government," she said. "Let's work together and let's make this happen."

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Casey Thomas said he was hopeful the revamp delegation would be successful in competing with other lawmakers from across the state.

"Just do your job," he said. "If you do your job, the constituents will respect that," said Thomas. "Locally we're going to be playing a lot of defense. ... Hopefully they understand that they're elected to represent the best interest of those who are local. We're getting an early look at what the future of Texas will look like."

Others agreed.

"It's an exciting time because the Dallas County delegation is resembling what the demographics are today," said Isaac Faz, incoming president of the Hispanic Bar Association. "It brings new voices, new energy and new ideas."

"Dallas County needs to be a leader, with its new voices and new energy," he said. "Along with our current delegation, Dallas County can be a force in the Legislature.